How can a callus become a wound?Â
The bottoms of our feet are subjected to pressure and friction when we walk, run, climb, jump, and even sit. If the skin on our feet endures enough pressure and friction, callus may develop. Callus is thickened skin, known as hyperkeratosis (hy-per-ker-uh-toh-sis), caused by a shearing force when the foot and the ground move in opposite directions.
How does a callus become a wound?
A small build-up of callus is usually not serious for people who have good sensation in their feet and are able to feel pain and discomfort from pressure and friction. Callus becomes problematic when there is a loss of protective sensation or the inability to feel. This is called neuropathy and can be a complication of diabetes. A person who has diabetes or neuropathy may not even realize they have a callus and if left untreated, that callus can become thick and hard and damage the soft tissue underneath it. When this happens, inflammation and bleeding occurs under the thickened skin. Subsequently, tissue may begin to die and a small cavity resembling a blister will form. At this stage, a wound or ulcer will be revealed when the callus is trimmed or removed.
Why is callus more serious in people with diabetes?
For people with diabetes, it is crucial that all calluses are debrided or removed and excess pressure on the bottom of the foot is offloaded. According to Diabetes Canada, diabetes is the leading cause of lower limb amputation. Adults who have diabetes are twenty times more likely to undergo an amputation of the lower limb, 85% of which are preceded by a foot wound. Regular callus debridement is one way to reduce the risk of tissue breakdown, wounds, and more serious complications.
What can you do to lessen your risk of developing a callus-related wound?
Callus is often caused by the way we walk and move around, or by wearing shoes that don’t fit well or walking barefoot often. To lessen the risk of complications, it is best to seek the advice of a lower limb clinician. During an assessment at BioPed Footcare, our lower limb clinicians will take a medical history, conduct an exam of the lower limbs and feet, inspect shoes to ensure they are a good fit, and will watch how you walk. We strive to increase our clients’ comfort and improve their function so they can do more in life. To do this, we present all treatment options to clients and decide on the best next steps together.
BioPed Footcare clinics are equipped with onsite laboratories where foot orthotics are custom-made for each client. Orthotics can effectively correct a person’s lower body mechanics and off-load high pressure areas on the feet. Wearing custom foot orthotics in well-fitting footwear can significantly increase comfort and reduce the severity of callus build-up on the feet. Many of our locations offer Medical Footcare by Registered Chiropodists and Advanced Footcare Nurses who are trained to safely remove callus. During a Medical Footcare appointment, skin is cleansed with an antiseptic such as rubbing alcohol, and a sterile tool or file is used to debride layers of thickened skin. Once callus is reduced, relief is often felt right away. Patients with diabetes typically seek skin and nail care at BioPed every 6-8 weeks.
Come see us!
We also carry an assortment of foot care products to use at home so you can feel more comfortable and keep calluses under control in between your Medical Footcare appointments. Using a foot file in combination with a moisturizer, containing the active ingredient urea, will help to maintain the health of the skin on the bottom of your feet. Give BioPed Footcare a call today, or book an appointment online, to learn how we can help you achieve healthier foot skin and toenails, and prevent a wound!
